stress and frustration!!

amurdaugh2010

so, this past week, my logging and charting and tracking have been zilch. my stress eating was on the front of my brain. my husband and i have some money troubles. we both have minimum wage jobs, that barely give us 20 hours a piece. if youve ever been there, then you know that having a small child doesnt help. and then throw an unexpected 432 dollar rental change, with the breaking of an extremly expensive taillight...you have a stressed and frustrated momma, who really likes to munch when she needs to think of solutions.. even though ive been munching and munching, luckily ive filled my house with those 100 calorie snack pack things. you know the pop corn and crackers and stuff. so at least its not the bad potatoe chips and pudding and ice cream. even though i have to say a handful of cheetos puffs are only 120 calories. but who can only eat a handful of them? anyways. my point, this week, i was not eating healthily. and since i started with myfitnesspal i hadnt been consistant with my charting. mostly due to me doing this on my cell phone since i dont have a computer...and dont get me started on exercise. i feel like between the baby, the husband, the job, the cleaning. i cant put aside 40 mins to have some privacy, and peace to work out. i know it looks like im complaining...but i guess im trying to kick myself in the pants and get going. im trying to do the special k diet. its actually easier than i thought! lol

spacecase76

I say take some time for exercise!

Exercise is a great stress reliever, AND it gives you more energy (I know, I didn't believe it either!!), but, it is true!

flyinmomof3

I get stressed out alot too. I think most of us have our moments. Believe it or not exercise helps me with all my stress. Usually walking is the best for thinking. I've been known to walk up to 2 hours, thinking. If your frustrated try getting your frustration out on a harder workout. I've had to do that before too. It really does help.

stephaniekendrick

Get your frustrations out with a good, sweaty workout. It helps relieve stress and then puts more calories back into your "pool" for the day so you can have another 100 calorie snack pack! LOL

I feel for you with all of your frustrations....emotional eater, stress getting the best of me, barely seeing hubby, working out butts off with little to show for it, busy with kiddos, cleaning, etc. It's very frustrating and all of these have put weight on me. I wish I was one of those people who stress made me LOSE weight, but I am not.

Try planning your week out and posting your schedle on your refrigerator where you will see it all the time. If you want to start out working out 3x a week, plan ahead what day you'll be doing it and stick with your schedule. Maybe, if you want to get strict with yourself, plan out your meals on the same calendar. Having it all set out for the week might make you find that extra "me" time to do what you wish and treat yourself to some peace and quiet after the kiddo goes to bed!

Good luck! Feel free to friend me if you'd like...we'll support each other along the way!

Stephanie

momsdiet1

Hang in there! When you have an extra few minutes, get your baby and exercise with him/her. You can put the baby or small child on your legs while you lay on the floor and kick your legs up and down. You both have fun and you are getting some exercise! I know it's not a gym workout but it's better than nothing and you get to have fun with your child - so what more could you ask for? :-) And it's free...

Nicmc8

First welcome! You have made a huge step and great choice by joining MFP and all of us! I am a single mom, who works full time, believe me I get the money/time thing. It seems like on the weeks I do not have extra money to spend... I want to eat out or grab a candy bar... and finally I have figured out that is me stress eating.

What helps me is to have my food planned out for the entire day, make sure you have 2-3 snacks planned so that you are eating every 2-3 hrs, this way you will not have time to get hungry and when you think you want something... look at the clock, is it snack or meal time? If so eat the food that you packed, if not tell yourself "I can eat in 30min" or whenever it is scheduled. Soon your body will be use to this. Also drink plenty of WATER!!! I keep a case of water in my car, I commute 35 miles each way to work, so I drink two bottles each way as well as throughout the day... helps keep me busy, instead of snacking.

Now for the exercise. Working out sucks, but movement is part of a healthy lifestyle and that is our ultimate goal. You deserve to be healthy and you deserve to have 30 mins a day to yourself. You need to make the time and trust me you will feel better and have more energy. Can you wake up 30 mins before everyone? Or maybe work out at night after your little one is in bed? What about going on a walk during your lunch at work?

I started MFP over a year ago and lost 30 lbs, those stupid pounds found me again because I stopped exercising and stopped tracking my food and stopped drinking water. My goal this year is to not stop doing those 3 things, I know it will work, there are many success stories on here.

Good luck to you!

lilchino4af

I get stressed out alot too. I think most of us have our moments. Believe it or not exercise helps me with all my stress. Usually walking is the best for thinking. I've been known to walk up to 2 hours, thinking. If your frustrated try getting your frustration out on a harder workout. I've had to do that before too. It really does help.

Workouts are great stress relievers because of the endorphins they release (think runner's high). I like flyinmomof3's suggestion of walking. That's a great activity that you can do with your child as you can take the child with you and not have to worry about who will watch him/her.

amurdaugh2010

today i really paced myself. i made myself slow down everything so i could think about what i am doing and not doing. and it worked! i got in 20 minutes of some cardio on my special k solutions dvd, and then my daughter, milly, and i went for a mile walk. today was a good day! i took all of your suggestions just about. planned out my day. instead of my week, i have to plan out a day at a time, because my work schedule is most likely to change. instead of eating when im stressed i have decided to bundle up and go for a walk. put that stroller to good use. it cleared my head and made a big difference. i cant afford a gym, and im usually without a car. so walking is actually a good idea for me. anyways, i planned out my meals and snacks around my daughters, and i find if i eat a little bit with her im not so hungry when i get a second to myself. all ive drank today has been water! im proud of my productive day today, and really everyone support makes me feel really good about this. i want to lose 50 lbs this year. alot i know but im making little increment goals. you know 5 lbs a month. which i think can be achieved.

flyinmomof3

I'm glad your feeling better! Hang in there!